It’s the Big Five nation that turned around its run of bad luck and regularly brings home good results. Now details have been reported of France‘s plans for a national final to select its act for Lisbon.

French newspaper Ouest-France has revealed details of the upcoming French national selection, which will tentatively be named Eurovision, Qui Portera Nos Couleurs (“Eurovision: Who Will Wear Our Colours”). While broadcaster France 2 has not yet confirmed the format of the national final, today’s report does suggest much progress has been made.

Like many national finals, the winner will be selected by votes from both a professional jury and a public televote. Details of the jury have not yet been revealed.

The contest will be hosted by French-Canadian singer and former The Voice France coach Garou.

Since June, entries have been open for interested artists. The general Eurovision rules apply, but France 2 has also specified that the song cannot have more than four songwriters behind it, and the lyrics must be at least 70% French.

The contest will take place sometime in January and will involve three shows: two pre-recorded semi-finals and one live grand final. Around 15 competitors will compete in the semi-finals where they will be evaluated by a jury. An as yet unspecified number will then progress to the grand final.

In the live grand final, the overall winner will be selected by votes from an international jury and the French public.

The names of the competing semi-finalists haven’t been revealed, but we do know of two singers who are hoping to be on stage in January. Twenty-five-year-old singer-songwriter Jérémy Montana is hoping to get the ticket to Lisbon with his song “L’oiseau, mon ami”. And recently, singer Nony — known in France for the 2006 hit song “Façon Sex” from his duo Tribal King, and for being a housemates in the reality show Secret Story — has also expressed his desire to represent France at Eurovision.

The last time France used a national final was in 2014, when three acts competed on the music show Les chansons d’abord, hosted by French-Canadian singer and France’s 2001 Eurovision star, Natasha St-Pier. The winner of this national final was Twin Twin, whose catchy song “Moustache” went on to score only two points in Copenhagen — France’s worst Eurovision result ever.

What do you think? Is a national final the right move for France? Who would you like to enter it? Share your thoughts below!

Short girl from Belgium with a big heart for the Eurovision Song Contest. Follows Junior Eurovision from the very beginning and got the Eurovision fever in 2010 when Belgium managed to qualify for the very first time.
Follow her on Instagram: @alinevanrossem and Twitter: @Alineke7

I think this is one final I want to see! Do I have high expectations? Not really… The last French pre-sélections were far from good. I really hope that we will have good songs and a good placing for France, who knows even a win?

Garou??? Come on!!!! You want to modernize and give a fresh touch to Eurovision in France with him??? That’s a joke. Talking about the contestants, The Voice France has/had many, that’s where the new talents are. Jeremy Montana and Nony? Seriously? That’s the worst you can find in France…. from what I see, it seems like it’s going to be a huge fail. But I hope I’m wrong!

I hope we watch some really good stuff this year! France has talent. And don’t forget: Eurovision found its good reputation in France. It wasn’t a successfull country until Amir in 2016. Then everything changed and I believe France cares more about Eurovision now.

I remember Garou from the Voice, I like him. He will be a good host.

The most important is to find the right song and continue the success of 2016 and 2017! Allez la France!

They have had lots of great entries lately (apart from 2015). So more different sounding, interesting, “alternative” songs. Like 2008…a masterpiece. In the old days, France used to mean boring euroballads. Thankfully it has changed!

So a national final will be interesting! Hopefully more of the same. Some great musical diversity, some alternative songs, and some rock please….Will be cool. They had a nice NF in 2007 as well.

I don’t know how I feel about a multi stage show. It shows that they are making an effort and the songs will likely be of a good quality, but does a Big 5 country need it. They’re already in the final so they need a song that works on first impact rather than a grower….

From a selfish perspective I’m happy to have another national final, but I wonder how beneficial it will be for France. For all its flaw, Eurovision You Decide did produce an act who placed 15th, a great result for a Big 5 country whose government is currently incurring the wrath of the EU.

That’s true. For a Big 5 country to average 9th is quite an achievement- in the same time, even Italy only managed 11th these years. Edoardo Grassi is the French Bjorkman, albeit with a taste for less generic content (no offence Sweden, you still slay!)

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